Sister Vera Harbour, who is in our Leyland Home, was born in 1913 in Ashford, Kent. She came into the Truth in 1939 in Canterbury and soon after moved with her husband Phil to pioneer in Liverpool.

During their time in Liverpool they enjoyed many fine experiences and evidence of Jehovah's support, especially when Phil spent two months in prison because of his stand on neutrality.

Their daughter Jane meanwhile went to the Kingdom School (Kingdom Schools were private schools set up for Witness children who were refused schooling by the state, so that the children wouldn't miss out on an education) in Newton Abbot, Devon and later Vera and Phil moved down to Cornwall to be nearer Jane. But the birth of three more children put an end to Vera and Phil's pioneering. Phil went into the meat trade and this led to the family moving back to Kent where a brother kindly let them his house. After several years they eventually found themselves back in Canterbury. Here their son Andrew and daughter Rachel grew up and went on to pioneer, with Andrew serving in the London Bethel for 5 years.

Vera Harbour In 1977 Phil and Vera moved to Ireland as both Rachel and Andrew and their families were serving where the need was greater. This was a tough assignment as the response in their particular area was so limited, but the association of so many other faithful ones was most encouraging.

During this time Vera had the pain of seeing Phil succumb to Alzheimer's disease, gradually deteriorating over a number of years and dying in 1995. Also her daughter Jane died in 1996 having spent 42 years in hospital suffering with mental illness.

Over this time Vera has seen many of her Bible studies come into the Truth, all those still alive remaining faithful to Jehovah. Her two remaining children, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren are continuing in the way of the Truth. Most of these have served for some time in the full time work with one grandson currently in Bethel with his wife.

Vera is now happily settled in the Leyland Home. In spite of her limited sight and mobility, at the age of 96, Vera manages to get to all the meetings and have a share in the ministry.

Live-in Workers

Blackpool, Merthyr & Wigan - We are always on the look out for sisters and brothers to work in our homes. At these homes we have facility to provide subsidised accommodation for those who have to move to the area to work for us. If you know anyone who might be interested in this work, please ask them to contact the relevant home, or call our head office for an application form.

Changes at our Homes

Blackpool - Tracey Gandesha & Chantelle Snarr are now joint Deputy Managers of the home
Leyland - We have new joint Managers: Mary Love & Susan Clifton. Additionally we have three new supervisors: Tina Motley, Helen Stark and Sheila Thurlow
Merthyr - We have applied to change the registration of the home to allow us to accept more residents who have dementia. In preparation for this, all the care staff at the home have achieved a Training Award on dealing with the care needs of those with Dementia . We'll let you know if the application is successful. Margaret Mubanga has been appointed as a Care Supervisor, Rosa Prosser as Food Service Supervisor.

Congratulations of the following Training Acheivements

Blackpool - NVQ2 in Housekeeping: Peter Kay
Merthyr - NVQ2: Aiesha Duffy (Food & Drink); Anthony Handley (Care)
Wigan - NVQ2 in Housekeeping: Tom Carter, Lorraine Gregory, Natalie Rowland & Bernadette Swalwell

Medway Project (Rainham, Kent)

The picture shows the site in Kent as it currently stands. An access road is already in place, and we already have planning permission to build a care home. We are now at the stage of raising funds to bring the project to fruition. Current estimates indicate a cost of £70-£75000 per bedroom to build the home. This allows for building the lounges, kitchen, dining and laundry facilities that are all part of a care home. You can see that the sums involved are significant, despite Jah-Jireh already owning the land. How soon we can build is really dependent on how soon we can raise the necessary funds. Your prayers in this matter are greatly appreciated.